Motorcycle ignition grounding switch

ABSTRACT

A panel member constructed of insulative material is provided and includes a recess formed therein opening outwardly through one edge surface of the panel member between opposite side surfaces thereof. A resilient conductive member is disposed in and projects outwardly of the recess and is normally positioned with its outer exposed end spaced above a surface upon which the panel member is disposed. However, the outer end of the conductive member may be downwardly depressed into electrical contact with any conductive surface upon which the panel member rests and the edge surface of the panel member from which the conductive member projects includes an integral flat portion overlying the outer exposed end of the conductive member and including a depending abutment portion of a vertical extent no greater than the thickness of the outer end of the conductive member and against which the outer end of the conductive member is abutted, the abutment member thereby serving to retain the conductive within the recess.

United States Patent 1191 German [11] 3,878,348 1451 Apr. 15, 1975MOTORCYCLE IGNITION GROUNDING SWITCH [76] Inventor: Ronald L..Germa'n,5131 Blairwood Dr., La Palma, Calif. 90623 [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1973 r 21Appl. No.: 421,223

[52] US. Cl. 200/157 [51] Int. Cl HOlh 9/08; H01h 13/52 [58] Field ofSearch 200/6 C, 6 R, 61.42, 61.43, 200/6l.44, 61.54, 61.6, 61.76, 61.79,61.83, 61.87,157, 159 R, 159 A, 244, 246, 283,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,244,846 4/1966 Kopp200/157 Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant ExaminerJohn W.Redman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson57 ABSTRACT A panel member constructed of insulative material isprovided and includes a recess formed therein opening outwardly throughone edge surface of the panel member between opposite side surfacesthereof. A resilient conductive member is'disposed in and projectsoutwardly of the recess andis normally positioned with its outer exposedend spaced above a surface upon which the panel member is disposed.However, the outer end of the conductive member may be downwardlydepressed into electrical contact with any conductive surface upon whichthe panel member rests and the edge surface of the panel member fromwhich the conductive member projects includes an integral flat portionoverlying the outer exposed end of the conductive member and including adepending abutment portion of a vertical extent no greater than thethickness of the outer end of the conductive member and against whichthe outer end of the conductive member is abutted, the abutment memberthereby serving to retain the conductive within the recess.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATEHTEDAFR 1 5 ma i Q s Fig.3

v 1mm",

Motorcycles and motor bikes are insome instances provided vwith ignitiongrounding circuits controlled by handle bar mounted push button switchesThe push button switches presently in use generally include a switchbody relative to whicha spring-biased push button is slidably supported.In addition. push button switches presently inuse must either besemipermanentlyattached to the associated handle bars by means offasteners or clamps which inherently disfigure the handle bars andconstitute protrusions on the handle bars which may cause injury to theuser of the motorcycle in the event of an accident Still further,conventional push button *kill switches are subject to being clogged bymud and grit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The ignition grounding switch of this inventionhas been designed in a manner enabling it to be readily removablymounted on an associated handle bar without marring the handle bar inany manner. In addition, all of the ignition grounding switch, exceptfor the grounding contact thereof, is constructed of elastomericmaterial which greatly reduces thechances of injury in the event of anaccident and the switch of the instant invention is not readily subjectto malfunction due to grit or mud.

The grounding switch includes a band-type body of elastomeric materialhaving an opening formed through one end and an integral T-shapedextension on the other end which may be releasably secured through theopening formed in the remote end in order to secure the ends of theband-type body about an associated handle bar assembly. One side edgeportion of the band includes an outwardly opening recesstin which aconductive member is seated and the conductive member projects outwardlyof the recess and its outer end may be deflected from a normal positionspaced slightly above the associated handle bar downwardly intoelectrical contact with the associated handle bar.

It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide anextremely inexpensive grounding switch for the handle bar of amotorcycle or motor bike.

Another object of this invention is to provide a grounding switch whichmaybe readily attached to an associated handle bar without marring thehandle bar in any manner. v v

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a grounding switchwhich maybe removably secured to the associated handle barwithout theuse :of;tools'. I

Another important objectl of this invention is toprovide an ignitiongrounding switch for use on a motorcycle handle bar and constructed'inamanner whereby the switch may be maintained in adjusted position on thehandle bar and yetmay be readily, shifted in position along the handlebar without the use of tools.

' A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated hereinis to provide an ignition grounding switch for the handle bar of amotorcycle which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, beof simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device thatwill be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-freein operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction-andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing bad to the'accompanying drawings forming a' part'he reof,

wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

' BRII- IF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 1 FIG. 1 is a fragmentaryperspective view'of one end portion of a motorcycle handle bar with theignition grounding switch of the instantinventi on mounted on the handle'bar;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional'vie wtaken substantiallyuponthe plane indicated by the section line 2-2 ofFIG'.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicatedby the section line 3 -3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the 'ignition' circuit grounding switchof the instant invention prior to its being applied to an associatedhandle bar and electri cally connected to an associated ignitioncircuit.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10generally designates a motorcycle handle bar including an end portion 12having a handgrip l4 thereon.

The ignition grounding switch of the instant invention is referred to ingeneral by the reference numeral 14 and is mounted on the handle bar end12 in a manner which will become apparent from the following descriptionand FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.

The switch 14 includes a panel member 16 constructed of insulativeelastomeric material. The panel member 16 is in the form of an elongatedstrap member and the opposite ends of the strap member. 16 includecoacting anchor means operable to releasably secure the ends of thestrap member together. The anchor means include an aperture 18 formed inone end of the strap member and an integal T-shaped extension 20 carriedby the other end of the strap member.

The panel member 16 includes inner and outer side surfaces 22-and24joined by opposite side edges 26 and 28. The panel member 16 includes ablind recess 27 formed therein which opens outwardly of the side edge 26and a flat and substantially straight and resilient strap-typeconductive member 30 has one end 32 thereof seated in the recess 27while the other endof the conductive member 30 projects outwardly of theside edge 26 of the panel or strap member 16.

From FIG. 2 of the drawings it may be seen that the outwardly projectingend 34 of the jconductivernember 30 is normally spaced above theunderlying portion of the handle bar end 12. However, it is to be notedthat may bes'kdownwardly' deflected into' electrical contact with thehandle' barend 12. Further, from FIG. 2'of the drawings it niay be seenvthat the panel member'16'in- I eludes an integral flap 38whichipfojects outwardly of theside edge 26 and'ov-erlies'the' outwardlyprojecting end 34 of the conductive member 30. Further, the-flap 38includes a depending abutment 40 against which the outer end 34 of theconductive member 30 is abutted. In this manner, the abutment 40 tendsto retain the conductive member 30, which can be lengthwise removed fromthe recess 27 when the outer portion of the flap 38 is upwardlydeflected, in seated position within the recess 27.

Still further, the side edge portion of the panel member 16 remote fromthe side portion thereof from which the conductive member 30 projectshas a small diameter passage 42 formed therein. One end of the passage42 opens outwardly through the sideedge' 28 of the panel member 16 andthe inner end of the passage 42 opens into the center portion of theinner end of the recess 27. An insulated conductor wire 44 has one endthereof electrically connected to the inner end of the conductive member30 as at 46 and the other end of the wire 44 may be electricallyconnected to any suitable portion of the ignition circuit of theassociated motorcycle in order that the ignition circuit may be groundedwhenever the flap 38 is depressed so as to depress the extended end 34of the conductive member 30 into electrical contact with the handle barend 12, it being understood that the handle bar end 12 constitutes aground for the ignition circuit.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modfications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A grounding switch comprising a panel member for overlying the outersurface of a conductive member, said panel member including oppositeside surfaces joined by means of an edge surface of said panel member,said panel member being constructed of insulative material and includinga recess formed therein opening outwardly through said edge surfacebetween said opposite side surfaces, a resilient conduction memberdisposed in and projecting outwardly of said recess, said conductivemember being adapted to be electrically connected to an electricalcircuit and the portion of said conductive member projecting outwardlyof said recess being deflectable through a plane containing one of saidside surfaces, said panel member comprising an elongated strap memberconstructed of elastomeric material, said edge surface comprising onelongitudinal edge of said strap member, the opposite end portions ofsaid strap member including anchor means releasably engageable with eachother.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said panel member includes anintegral flap portion thereof projecting outwardly of said edge surfaceand overlying said outwardly projecting portion of said conductivemember on the side thereof remote from said plane.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said recess comprises a blindrecess, said conductive member being seated in said recess.

4. A grounding switch comprising a panel member for overlying the outersurface of a conductive member, said panel member including oppositeside surfaces joined by meansof an edge surface of said panel member,said panel member being constructured of insulative material andincluding a recess formed therein opening outwardly through said edgesurface between said opposite side surfaces, a resilient conductivemember disposed in and projectingoutwardly of said recess,

said conductive member being adapted to be electrically connected to anelectrical circuit and the portion or said conductive member projectingoutwardly of said recess being deflectable through a plane contain,- ingone of said side surfaces, said recess comprising-a blind recess, saidconductive member being seated in said recess, said panel member beingconstructed of elastomeric material and including an integral flapportion thereof projecting outwardly of said edge surface and overlyingsaid outwardly projecting portion of said conductive member on the sidethereof remote from said plane, said-flap portion including an outer endabutment portion against which the outer extremity of said conductivemember is abutted to retain said con,- ductive member seated in saidrecess, said panel member comprising an elongated strap member, saidedge surface comprising one longitudinal edge of said strap member, theopposite end portions of said strap member including anchor meansreleasably engageeble with each other.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said anchor means comprise anopening formed through one end portion of said strap member and aT-shaped extension formed on the other end portion of said strap member.

6. The combination of claim 3 wherein said panel member has a smalldiameter passage formed therein opening into the inner end of saidrecess at one end and outwardly of the strap member at the other end,and an.

insulated ,conductor extending through said passage and electricallyconnected to said conductive member at one end, the other end of saidconductive member being adapted to be electrically connected to avehicle ignition circuit.

7. A grounding switch comprising a panel member for overlying the outersurface of a conductive memher, said panel member including oppositesides jointed by means of an edge surface of said panel member, saidpanel member being constructed of insulative material and including ablind recess formed therein opening outwardly through said edge surfacebetween said opposite side surfaces, a resilient conductive memberseated in and projecting outwardly of saidrecess, the portion of saidconductive member projecting o-utwardly of said recess being deflectablethrough a plane containing one of said side surfaces, said panel memberincluding an integral flap portion thereof projecting outwardly of saidedge surface and overlying said outwardly projecting portion of saidconductive member on the side thereof remote from said plane, said flapportion including an outer end abutment portion overlying and againstwhich the outer extremity of said conductive member is abutted to retainsaid conductive member seated in said recess, said panel member having asmall diameter passage formed therein opening into the inner end ofsaidrecess at one end and outwardly of said strap member at the other end ata point remote from said recess. and an insulated conductor extendingthrough said passage and electrically connected to said conductivemember at the end of said conductive member projecting into said recess,the

' other end portion of said conductive member being adapted to beelectrically connected through an electric circuit of whichsaidconductive member comprises a part.

1. A grounding switch comprising a panel member for overlying the outersurface of a conductive member, said panel member including oppositeside surfaces joined by means of an edge surface of said panel member,said panel member being constructed of insulative material and includinga recess formed therein opening outwardly through said edge surfacebetween said opposite side surfaces, a resilient conduction memberdisposed in and projecting outwardly of said recess, said conductivemember being adapted to be electrically connected to an electricalcircuit and the portion of said conductive member projecting outwardlyof said recess being deflectable through a plane containing one of saidside surfaces, said panel member comprising an elongated strap memberconstructed of elastomeric material, said edge surface comprising onelongitudinal edge of said strap member, the opposite end portions ofsaid strap member including anchor means releasably engageable with eachother.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said panel member includesan integral flap portion thereof projecting outwardly of said edgesurface and overlying said outwardly projecting portion of saidconductive member on the side thereof remote from said plane.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said recess comprises a blind recess,said conductive member being seated in said recess.
 4. A groundingswitch comprising a panel member for overlying the outer surface of aconductive member, said panel member including opposite side surfacesjoined by means of an edge surface of said panel member, said panelmember being constructured of insulative material and including a recessformed therein opening outwardly through said edge surface between saidopposite side surfaces, a resilient conductive member disposed in andprojecting outwardly of said recess, said conductive member beingadapted to be electrically connected to an electrical circuit and theportion of said conductive member projecting outwardly of said recessbeing deflectable through a plane containing one of said side surfaces,said recess comprising a blind recess, said conductive member beingseated in said recess, said panel member being constructed ofelastomeric material and including an integral flap portion thereofprojecting outwardly of said edge surface and overlying said outwardlyprojecting portion of said conductive member on the side thereof remotefrom said plane, said flap portion including an outer end abutmentportion against which the outer extremity of said conductive member isabutted to retain said conductive member seated in sAid recess, saidpanel member comprising an elongated strap member, said edge surfacecomprising one longitudinal edge of said strap member, the opposite endportions of said strap member including anchor means releasablyengageeble with each other.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein saidanchor means comprise an opening formed through one end portion of saidstrap member and a T-shaped extension formed on the other end portion ofsaid strap member.
 6. The combination of claim 3 wherein said panelmember has a small diameter passage formed therein opening into theinner end of said recess at one end and outwardly of the strap member atthe other end, and an insulated conductor extending through said passageand electrically connected to said conductive member at one end, theother end of said conductive member being adapted to be electricallyconnected to a vehicle ignition circuit.
 7. A grounding switchcomprising a panel member for overlying the outer surface of aconductive member, said panel member including opposite sides jointed bymeans of an edge surface of said panel member, said panel member beingconstructed of insulative material and including a blind recess formedtherein opening outwardly through said edge surface between saidopposite side surfaces, a resilient conductive member seated in andprojecting outwardly of said recess, the portion of said conductivemember projecting outwardly of said recess being deflectable through aplane containing one of said side surfaces, said panel member includingan integral flap portion thereof projecting outwardly of said edgesurface and overlying said outwardly projecting portion of saidconductive member on the side thereof remote from said plane, said flapportion including an outer end abutment portion overlying and againstwhich the outer extremity of said conductive member is abutted to retainsaid conductive member seated in said recess, said panel member having asmall diameter passage formed therein opening into the inner end of saidrecess at one end and outwardly of said strap member at the other end ata point remote from said recess, and an insulated conductor extendingthrough said passage and electrically connected to said conductivemember at the end of said conductive member projecting into said recess,the other end portion of said conductive member being adapted to beelectrically connected through an electric circuit of which saidconductive member comprises a part.